April 09, 2015
REMAINING HURDLES TO A NUCLEAR AGREEMENT WITH IRAN
The announcement last week of an agreement between Iran and the P5+1 on the parameters that would form the basis of a final nuclear agreement was a historic breakthrough. If thedetails outlined by the Obama administration hold, the final deal that is due to be negotiated by June 30, will have achieved the objective of creating conditions that will deter Iran from attempting a breakout – overt or covert – to a nuclear weapon. The concessions made by Iran at its known facilities will keep it at a breakout time of a year or longer for at least ten years, making it impossible for Iran to use those facilities to build a nuclear weapon without being quickly caught . And the inspections and verification regime that will last 25 years or longer will dramatically reduce Iran’s ability to covertly build a nuclear weapon.
However, the distance between parameters and a final agreement remains significant. Over the next three months the administration will have to deal with three major challenges as it attempts to finalize an agreement: (1) a skeptical U.S. Congress; (2) nervous Middle Eastern allies; and (3) the negotiations themselves.
Read the full op-ed at War On The Rocks.
More from CNAS
-
Toward a More Proliferated World?
Reports
U.S. policy must adapt unless Washington wants to be faced with a more proliferated world in the future....
By Eric Brewer, Ilan Goldenberg, Joseph Rodgers, Maxwell Simon & Kaleigh Thomas
-
Sharper: The Future of U.S. Sanctions Policy
Commentary
Sanctions are increasingly common in U.S. foreign policy and economic statecraft. But they are not a cure-all....
By Kaleigh Thomas, Cole Stevens & Chris Estep
-
Europe Can Preserve the Iran Nuclear Deal Until November
Commentary
Over the course of the Trump administration, Europe and Iran have managed to avert the collapse of the nuclear deal....
By Ellie Geranmayeh & Elisa Catalano Ewers
-
Reengaging Iran
Reports
The international community may find Iran ready to consider a return to negotiations in 2021—regardless of the results in November....
By Ilan Goldenberg, Elisa Catalano Ewers & Kaleigh Thomas
